Author notes:Now it's time for Courage to compete in a challenge. I hope you enjoy! I do not own Ed Edd n Eddy, Johnny Bravo, PowerPuff Girls, Code Name Kids Next Door, Billy and Mandy, Freakazoid, Samurai Jack, Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends, Courage The Cowardly Dog, and Dexter's Laboratory, they belong to their respected owners.
Chapter 3:Act 1:DEATHRACE.
In 2100 Haven City Building...
Carl was in one of the chairs, thinking about yesterday and what he's done to Johnny. The cloaked figure was at the other end of the big table.
"You need to be more careful Carl," he said.
"What do you mean?" Carl asked.
"I saw you putting traps on the track for Johnny," the cloaked figure said.
"I'm sorry," Carl said with his head down. "I should have never done that, shouldn't I?"
"I don't car what you do. Just don't get caught doing it," the cloaked figure said.
"So you don't mind if I cheat?" Carl said.
"I couldn't care less. Just don't get caught," the cloaked figure said.
"Of course. Is that all you want to talk about?" Carl asked.
"Yes, you may go now," the cloaked figure said as Carl exited the room.
The cloaked figure turned around in his big chair and looked at the big screen. On the screen he saw the races and challenges that took place.
Looks like things are shaping up for me this season, the cloaked figure thought. Nothing will stop me from getting that emerald...
Somewhere In Haven City...
The Eds, Johnny Bravo, Freakazoid, and Billy decided to explore the city before their next challenges start.
"Look guys, an arcade!" Ed said pointing to an arcade.
"Cool, we've got change. Coming Double D?" Eddy asked.
"You guys go ahead. I want to explore this city more," Edd said.
"Okay then. We'll meet back here once we're through," Eddy said as the group went to the arcade.
Edd went to the other direction. The city was big. Their were buildings everywhere, and a lot of people walking and passing by. Their were shops, Hotels and Motels, a mall on one corner, and a lot of people selling something.
Business seems to be booming, Edd thought.
While Edd was walking, he stumbled upon a museum on the other side of a street.
Ooh, a museum. Let's see what kind of interesting artifacts they have, Edd thought.
Edd went across the street when he realized something.
Shoot. I don't have any money, Edd thought.
When Edd was about to turn around, he saw a familiar pink dog walking on two legs on the sidewalk.
I wonder what's that dog story? Edd thought as he walked to the dog.
The dog looked up.
"Um...hi?" Edd said, feeling weird talking to a dog.
"Hi," the dog said back.
Edd jumped back.
"So you can talk?" Edd said.
The dog didn't say anything. He waved his hands around, looking like he was trying to tell Edd something.
"I see, by the looks of it, you can say certain words," Edd said.
The dog nodded.
"Where did you learn to talk?" Edd asked.
The dog waved his hands around again.
"You learned them?" Edd said.
The dog nodded again.
"Interesting. You must be very smart," Edd said.
This guy seems more brighter then Ed, the dog named Courage thought.
Courage then waved his hands around some more.
"Are you asking me my name?" Edd said.
Courage nodded.
"My name is Edd, but my friends call me Double D," Edd said.
"Courage," the dog said.
"Courage? Is your name Courage?" Edd said.
Courage nodded.
"If only their was another way for us to speak," Edd said.
Courage then took something out of his "pockets" which was pen and paper. He then wrote something on the paper and gave it to Edd. It said:
We'll communicate like this.
"I see. Okay Courage," Edd said with a warm smile. "Looks like I made a friend today."
Courage smiled to as he wrote something else down on paper. He gave it to Edd.
What are you doing here Double D? The paper said.
"Oh, I was going to the museum and look at the artifacts they have, but I don't have any money," Edd said.
Courage then wrote on another piece of paper again and gave it to Edd.
Josh said we can get in the museum for free, because we're participants in DEATHRACE, the paper said.
"Really? I didn't know that. Would you like to join me Courage?" Edd asked.
The dog nodded his head yes.
"Okay then, let's go," Edd said as they both walked to the museum...
The museum was big, and had artifacts that Edd was familiar with only in books. One in particular he went up to.
"I saw this in a book I read at home. I always wanted to find it to find it in Peach Creek but it was never their," Edd said.
Courage nodded.
"Hello friend," a familiar voice said.
Edd and Courage turned around to find Dexter walking up to them.
"Why hello Dexter. What brings you here?" Edd asked.
"Just here to study artifacts that have been left for generations by unknown civilization," Dexter said.
"So am I," Edd said.
As the two friends started talking, Courage turned around in the other direction. When he did, he saw someone he really didn't want to see. Courage then pulled on Edd's shirt.
"What is it Courage?" Edd asked.
"Ah yes, I remember this dog, he's the one who can speak words," Dexter said.
Courage then pointed to someone that surprised Edd and Dexter. It was a walking red cat coming in their direction.
"How in the world is that cat walking?" Dexter said.
When the cat came up to them, Courage started to growl.
"What is it Courage? Is this guy bad news?" Dexter said.
"No, as a matter of fact, I've never seen this dog before," the cat said.
Edd and Dexter jumped back.
"You can talk to?" Dexter asked.
"Yes, I can do all sorts of things," the cat said. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Katz."
"Well that's pretty much self explanatory," Dexter said.
Katz ignored his comment.
"I've heard that you two are part of a racing team. May I come to your headquarters?" Katz asked politely.
"Why?" Edd asked.
"I'm just interested in seeing some of your vehicles, especially yours young man," Katz said. "I've seen your first race. You were pretty impressive kid."
"Yes well, a lot of people have been saying that," Edd said.
"Anyway, may I come see your vehicles?" Katz asked.
"No!" Courage said.
"The dog talked!" Dexter said.
"What is it Courage? You've seen this cat before, and your saying he's bad news?" Edd asked.
Courage shook his head.
"This Courage must have me mistaken with another cat." Katz said. "Anyway, you don't mind, do you?"
Edd and Dexter thought about it for a moment.
"Okay, I guess it couldn't hurt," Edd said.
"Splendid," Katz said.
"Come cats, we'll show you where the garage is," Dexter said.
"It's Katz," Katz said.
"That is what I said, cats," Dexter said.
"No, it's with a Z. Katz," Katz said a little more slower.
"That-is-what-I-said, cats," Dexter said slower.
"No, Kat-"
"Okay then! Let's go to our garage then!" Edd said, breaking up the pointless argument.
As they walked off, Courage started talking in some strange gibberish...
1901 Haven City Building Garage...
The garage was big, due to their being many drivers for the team. Inside the garage was a bunch of vehicles for every single one of the drivers. The garage also looked pretty expensive.
"You have a nice garage," Katz said looking around.
"Yeah, it is pretty expensive," Dexter said. "Josh told us so."
"I see. Is this Josh your leader?" Katz asked.
"Yes, why?" Edd said.
"Just checking," Katz said. "These are a lot of interesting vehicles."
Katz then started to look at the cars. Edd, Dexter, and Courage had worried looks one their faces. They could see that this cat is bad news. After Katz got through examining the vehicles, he went up to the three.
"Yes, very interesting indeed. Well, I'll be on my way then, and good luck to you on all your challenges," Katz said.
"Yes, you to," Edd said as Katz looked at Courage.
Courage growled at Katz.
"What an adorable dog. Is he yours?" Katz asked.
As if you don't already know, Courage thought.
"No, he belongs to two other people," Edd said.
"Interesting. Well, I'll be on my way," Katz said as he walked out of the garage.
"You know Edd, I have a feeling that cat is bad news," Dexter said.
"Yes, me to," Edd said.
Courage tried to write to Edd that he was bad news, but he had no more paper.
"I wonder why he wanted to examine our cars?" Dexter said.
"Who knows? Come on, I got to meet Eddy and the others," Edd said. "You coming Courage?"
The dog shook his head.
I've got a bad feeling that Katz was up to something, or if my name isn't John Back, and it's not...
2100 Haven City Building...
Katz walked into the room with a smile on his face.
"Well, that went well," John Hack, the vet said.
"Yes, it was a perfect plan. While I go and pretend to examine the cars, you on the other hand sabotage all of them while those two kids and meddlesome dogs attention were on me," Katz said. "And I'm sure that you putted the "extra package" for that meddlesome dog's car, did you?"
"Yes, of course I did," John said.
"Good, then that emerald will be good as ours," Katz said.
"So you mean we're not gonna share it's powers with the rest of the racing team?" John said.
"Of course not. Do you know what kind of power we can achieve with that emerald just for the two of us?" Katz said.
"Yes, of course! You have a point Katz," John said.
"And besides, I don't think everyone in this racing team is going to share it with each other. Especially that man with the cloak," Katz explained. "Once the racing team who was hired by the CIA loses due to their now sabotaged cars, we will do the same to this team, and win the competition and the emerald ourselves."
"That is a great plan! With all that power and money, I can finally continue my research for super dogs," the vet said. And possibly super cats, the vet thought as he looked at Katz with a sinister look.
"What? What are you looking at?" Katz said.
"Oh nothing. Well, my competition is about to start soon. I better be going to the garage," the vet said as he headed to the garage. "Tell me how it went with the other team when I get back."
"Of course old man," Katz said as the vet walked away.
The old man is a fool. One we get through sabotaging everyone's car, the vet will be next, Katz thought as an evil smile formed on his face...
1901 Haven City Building...
Courage was sitting at the mini bar ordering a drink from the bartender. He was still thinking about Katz visit.
If I know Katz, it can't be anything good. He must be up to something, Courage thought. I've got to tell Josh about this!
Courage then hopped out of his seat when Eustace and Muriel came up to them.
"Hello Courage. We just decided to visit you and see how you were doing," Muriel said.
"Yeah dog. I've got a lot of money on this race, so keep up the good work!" Eustace said.
"Eustace, are you betting legally?" Muriel asked.
"Um...maybe," Eustace said.
Courage then started to talk in the same gibberish when he's always scared.
"What is it Courage?" Muriel asked.
Courage then shape shifted into Katz acting like a gentleman cartoon style, then transformed bakck into his original self.
"I believe that Courage is worried about his next challenge Eustace," Muriel said.
"Yeah well, he better win it!" Eustace said.
"Anyway, good luck Courage," Muriel said as she walked out of the room.
Courage slapped his hand on his forehead.
How come no one understands me? Oh wait, I'm a dog, Courage thought.
Josh and Edd then went up to Courage.
"Who was that Courage, your adopted parents?" Edd asked.
Courage then shook his head and started talking gibberish again. He then shape shifted to into Katz again and shifted back to his normal self.
"How in the world did you shape shifted like that?" Josh said.
"Wait a minute, I think he's trying to tell us something!" Edd said.
Courage then shook his head.
"Well whatever it is, it will have to wait. Your challenge is starting in a few minutes Courage. Get to gate number 23 pronto," Josh said as he walked away.
"I have a challenge to Courage. We'll talk later," Edd said as he walked away.
Now what am I gonna do? Courage thought. Oh well, I might as well get to that gate...
In gate number 23...
So my challenge is to destroy a set amount of cars in the allotted time? And every time I destroy a car I get points? That should be easy, even though the only weapons I have is a machine gun and a rocket , Courage thought behind the gate.
Courage's car was purple with black dots on it, had a machine gun on the top, pretty short, and the wheels were made differently due to Courage having paws.
"Ladies and gentleman, this challenge is all about getting the kills. Let's get ready for..."
"DEATHRACE!" the fans shouted.
I guess that's my cue, Courage thought as the gate opened.
He drove out of it. The fans started to cheer for the dog. Among the fans he could hear:
"Look at him! He's so cute!"
Courage started to blush. Little did Courage know was that Katz was also among the fans with a button in his hand.
"Today is the day your going to lose your life, dog," Katz said to himself.
"All right driver, are you ready?" the announcer said with energy.
Courage nodded when the light shinned red. Courage challenge was this. On the track their will be automated cars that will move by themselves. Courage has to destroy these cars. Every time he destroys a car he gets points. If he can destroy a car quicker he gets combo points. The challenge is to get as many point as possible. The points total that he needs is 180 and the time allotted was 3:00:00.
"That dog won't be going anywhere," Katz said.
The light shinned yellow, and Courage started to rev his engines...
Then the light shinned green, nut Courage wasn't going anywhere. Courage pressed on the gad pedal, but the car didn't move an inch. The fans looked at Courage confusedly.
"What's going on?" Courage said.
Just then a screen popped up inside Courage's car. And on the screen was Katz.
"Hello Courage. If you haven't figured it out yet, the friendly vet sabotaged all of your cars, while I distracted you," Katz said.
"Oh no," Courage said.
"That's right. With your racing team out of the way, nothing can stop me from winning the competition. Oh, and by the way, me and the vet added a little something extra to your car, a bomb," Katz said.
Courage gulped.
"And as your watching this video, I am on the stands holding the detonator, right now," Katz said.
Courage looked around the fans in the stands and Katz was right. He was holding a detonator.
"Goodbye, old boy," the video said as it ended.
Katz smiled in the stands as he pressed the detonator button. Courage waited for an explosion to happen...
It never came. Katz pressed the button again, but no explosion.
"What is wrong with this thing?" Katz said angrily as he keeps pressing the button.
Back in Courage's car another video popped up, this time one of Josh.
"Hey Courage, just to let you know, we were aware that Katz was trying to sabotage our cars, so before our challenges we fixed them all, also removing the bomb. I already knew from the beginning that Katz was no good. He work s for the other racing team. Anyway, good luck on your challenge! Everything's fixed now!" Josh said as the video ended.
Thank goodness, Courage thought as he stepped on the gas pedal again. This time the car started moving.
"I don't know what just happened ladies and gentleman, but it seems that Courage is on the move now!" the announcer said.
The fans started to cheer and Courage was on the move.
"I can't believe this! They must have been aware that I was planning on sabotaging their cars. No matter. I've got another trick up my sleeve for that pesky dog," Katz said as he took another button out of his "pockets" and pressed it.
Meanwhile back on the track Courage pressed a button and a machine gun came out on top of Courage's car. As Courage was driving he noticed that their were other cars in front of him with no drivers.
Those must be the automated cars, Courage thought.
Courage then pressed another button and bullets started coming out of the machine guns, hitting the cars in front of Courage as they began to zoom to the wall that separates two paths. Courage and some of the cars took the second one. Courage kept on shooting at the automated cars until some of them exploded. The crowd started to cheer. Courage then looked at a big screen on the outskirts of the track. The time he had left was 2:50:00, and he had a total of 50 points.
So far so good, Courage thought as he and the other automated cars zoomed out of the path.
Courage then pressed the button again bullets flew like crazy to the auto mated cars. One of them exploded, causing three more cars to explode on impact. Courage now had a total of 70 points. It was 10 points with every car destroyed. Courage then saw another set of cars up ahead. He pressed the button again and shot at them, causing them to explode, gaining Courage another 20 points. The fans started to cheer.
"Wow! Look at that dog go!" the announcer said.
Yes, look at that dog go indeed. But soon, that dog's racing track will be his grave, Katz thought.
Courage and some of the automated cars zoom to the cave. Courage started to fire off more bullets, but then something happened. A shield just popped up one of the automated cars and deflected the bullets.
"What the? That's not supposed to happen," the announcer said off mike. "Hey, what's going on, the automated cars are only supposed to drive, not use any weapons." he said to a DEATHRACE staff.
"I don't know what's going on either," the DEATHRACE staff said.
Back on the track the automated cars shield disappeared. Then the cars started to turn around and drive in reverse, only that their still going forward!
What the... Courage thought.
Just then a machine gun popped up on top of the automated cars and started firing at Courage.
"Oh no!" Courage said as he began to dodge the bullets.
Back on the stands Katz looked at Courage dodging bullets from the automated cars.
"Little did Courage know is that before the challenge I sabotaged the automated cars to fight back, just in case sabotaging the CIA's racing team cars didn't work," Katz said evilly.
Back on the track Courage is still trying hard to dodge bullets while they zoom out of the cave and onto the beach scenery.
Their has got to be way to destroy those cars, Courage thought. Looks like I've got no other choice but to use my rocket.
Courage pressed a button on his car and a rocket replaced the machine guns. Courage then pressed another button and the rocket launched itself to three of the automated cars. They exploded on impact as Courage gained 30 points, totaling up to 120 points. The fans started to cheer as Courage exited the beach scenery and went into the small stand of fans. After exiting that Courage zoomed to the glass cave. He looked at the time. He had 1:65:00 left to go.
All I need is 60 more points and I'm through, Courage thought.
Just then more automated cars appeared and were driving in front of Courage. Like the last time, the cars spun around, still driving forward, and started to shoot at Courage. Courage began to dodge the bullets.
I can't keep this up forever! And I already used my rocket! I have to think of something... Courage thought as a bullet hit a major part of Courage car, the tire. Oh no!
Luckily it only scrapped the tire, so the air in the tire was going out slowly. Just then the automated cars and Courage drove out of the glass cave and onto the bridge. He looked at the time. 1:35:00 left to go. Courage then looked at the automated cars I front of him. Their were six, just enough to get 180, the total amount. Just then Courage thought of a plan.
I got it! Courage thought as he drove faster to the automated cars, still dodging the bullets.
Huh? What is that dog up to now? Katz thought.
When Courage was close enough to the cars, he got in between two of them.
Now! Courage thought as he hit the brakes.
The two automated cars shot at each other, due to Courage being in between them for a split second. As soon as bullets impacted on the two cars, they exploded, and Courage gained 20 points. The fans started to cheer.
"Amazing! It looks like the dog mad a surprising move, tricking the two cars into shooting each other!" the announcer said.
Good! Two down, four to go! Courage thought as he went in between two other cars.
Courage then hit the brakes and the two cars shot at each other, and exploded, causing Courage to gain another 20 points. Just then one of the automated cars bullets went to one of the two other automated cars, and exploded, causing Courage to gain an extra 10 points. The fans started to cheer more.
Only one left! Courage thought as he pressed a button and a machine gun popped on top of his car.
Just then Courage heard a loud BANG. Courage looked down. The tire that was shot by one of the automated cars blew up.
Oh no! Courage thought.
As if that wasn't worse the automated car in front of Courage fired two bullets in the other two tires, causing them to explode.
"Uh oh! It looks like the dog is in a pickle now!" the announcer said.
"Yes, it sure is," Katz said evilly from the stands.
Courage's car began to swerve like crazy. The time for Courage is now 00:10:00 with 170 points.
There is no way I'm about to lose now! Courage thought. For the sake of the world, like Edd said.
Courage then pushed on the steering wheel and headed straight for a collision course for the last automated car. The fans gasped.
"That dog must be crazy! It looks like, to destroy the last automated car and win, he's going to collide with it!" the announcer said.
And he did. The result was a massive explosion as Courage gained the last 10 points to win the challenge in the nick of time. The fans, on the other hand, was silent.
"Their is now way the dog could have survived that!" the announcer said.
"He's right. The dog is dead," Katz said evilly.
"We are now sending some of the staff members to see if Courage is all right, though I doubt it," the announcer said.
On the race track staff members of DEATHRACE were searching among the debris to see if they could find Courage, or at least his body.
It's hopeless. The dog made a foolish move this time that lead to his death... Katz thought.
Meanwhile in 1901 Haven City Building...
Everyone in the room got through with their challenges early and was looking at the TV screen at Courage' challenge.
"That dog was a fool," Mandy said.
"Yeah, there is now way that the dog survived that. He may have won the competition, but he lost his life for it," Grim said dully.
"No, your wrong. I know Courage is still alive," Muriel said.
"How do you know?" Edd asked.
"Courage is not the type of dog to give up easily, isn't that right Eustace?" Muriel said.
He just nodded his head...
Back on the race track...
The staff members were still looking for Courage, but to no avail.
"Strange, it looks like the staff members can't find a single trace of the dog," the announcer said. "Wait a minute! Someone is moving under the bridge!"
Sure enough, their was a familiar figure that moved from under the bridge and onto the top. It was Courage.
"Man, that last jump was a doozey," Courage said.
The fans started to cheer for Courage's name.
"I can't believe this! The dog is still alive!" the announcer said.
The fans started to cheer more. Katz, on the other hand, jaw dropped.
That dog is not the one to give up, Katz thought. Oh well, back to the drawing board. He thought as he left the stand.
Back in 1901 Haven City Building...
"No way. That dog has to be some kind of machine," Mandy said.
"I agree," Freakazoid said.
"He's not a machine. He's just Courage," Muriel said.
"That dog is way past cool guys!" Ed shouted.
"I gotta admit, that dog is pretty cool," Eddy said.
"Yes, Courage definitely has a lot of will power," Edd commented.
Ten minutes later...
Courage walked through the door of the building. Muriel came up to him.
"Oh Courage, I'm glad your okay," Muriel said as she hugged the dog.
"Yep, thanks to you dog, I won a lot of money," Eustace said.
"Eustace, what did I say about illegal betting?" Muriel said.
"Well...I...oh look, a mini bar!" Eustace said as he went to the mini bar, coming up with an excuse.
"Eustace!" Muriel said as she went to the mini bar.
Courage just laughed. Just then everyone came up to Courage.
"That was sweet driving man!" Freakazoid said.
"Yeah, you were awesome!" Billy said.
"But what I want to know is how you survived the explosion?" Edd asked.
Courage then went up to a board and drew out a marker. He then drew a picture of himself jumping out of the car as soon as his car was about to hit the automated car.
"I see. Well Courage, you certainly live up to your name," Josh said.
Everyone in the room agreed as Courage blushed.
"Anyway, we need to be more careful about who we bring in here. If I didn't went in the garage, I would have never noticed that that cat sabotaged our cars," Josh said.
"Yeah, sorry about that Josh," Dexter said.
"It's okay. Speaking of cars, we need to get yours fix Courage. Where is it?" Josh asked.
Courage then made symbols with his hands.
"In the garage?" Josh asked.
Courage nodded.
"Okay, I better get to work on it," Josh said as he went to the garage.
"I'll help to," Dexter said.
"Anyway, that was way cool of what you did Courage!" Bloo said.
"Yeah! Your a cool dog!" Mac said.
"Ah, it was nothing," Courage said.
Mac and Bloo looked surprised.
"You can talk?" Mac said.
"Why of course I can, why can't I? Oh wait, I'm a dog," Courage said.
The group started to laugh...
2100 Haven City Building...
The cloaked figure was looking at the recent DEATHREACE challenge that Courage just won. Behind him the door opened and Katz walked in.
"My race will be staring in a few minutes. I'm just here to get my vehicle," Katz said.
The cloaked figure turned around in his chair.
"I guess you were surprised when Courage survived that explosion," the cloaked figure said. "I know what you did, sabotaging the CIA's racing team's car. Their smarter then they look you know."
"How do you know all that?" Katz asked surprised.
"Because I've been watching you," the cloaked figure said.
"Their is a thing called privacy you know," Katz said.
Their was silent for a few seconds.
"Your race will start soon. Go get your vehicle," the cloaked figure said. "And try not to get caught cheating."
"You don't have to worry about that," Katz said.
"Oh, I'm not worried about that, but I am worried about betrayers," the cloaked figure said.
Their was more silence.
"Are you saying I attend to betray the racing team, and have the Paramount Emerald's power to myself? Never," Katz said.
Their was silent for another few seconds.
"Go get your vehicle," the cloaked figure said as Katz went into the garage.
"You would be wise to worry about the same thing," the cloaked figure said...
Author notes:Their goes this chapter. Next chapter will be a lot more exciting, I promise. Anyways, R&R!